Sant'Anna Admission exam-day guide
Sant'Anna Admission · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID (passport or national ID card)
Bring the same identity document you used for registration. If you registered with a passport, bring that passport. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is permitted, since rules differ by session and site.
Admission letter / registration confirmation
Print or download the confirmation showing your candidate number, session time, and venue. Some sites ask to see it at the entrance; confirm with the provider whether a digital copy on your phone is acceptable or a paper printout is required.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Multiple-choice answers are usually marked on a machine-readable sheet, so bring pens that write cleanly and a spare. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is required for the answer sheet and whether correction fluid or tape is allowed.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful if the answer sheet must be completed in pencil or if you want to work rough calculations before transferring answers. Confirm with the provider which writing instruments are permitted in your specific session.
Analog watch (no smart features)
Many rooms have a clock, but not all, and phones must usually be switched off and stored. A simple analog or basic digital watch without connectivity helps you pace sections. Confirm with the provider whether watches are allowed at all.
Water bottle and a small snack
Bring a clear, label-free bottle if the venue requires it. Eat a light snack before entry or during any authorised break. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are permitted at your desk.
Printed directions and venue details
Note the exact building and entrance, not just the street address; large campuses have multiple gates. Check transport schedules and plan to arrive well before the reporting time. Confirm the reporting time and gate with the provider.
Leave prohibited items at home or in a bag you can store
Phones, smartwatches, earphones, notes, and study material are normally banned from the exam room. Ask the provider in advance where bags can be left, since not all venues offer secure storage.
Review the test format and section timings
Know how many questions, how long each section lasts, and whether there are separate answer sheets. Confirm with the provider the exact structure for your programme, as formats can change between sessions.
Check the language of the paper and any permitted aids
Some sessions are delivered in Italian or English, and calculators or dictionaries are usually restricted. Confirm with the provider which language version you will receive and whether any aid is allowed.
Plan your arrival and a backup route
Aim to be at the venue with a comfortable margin; traffic and public transport delays are common on test mornings. Identify a backup route and a contact number for the venue. Confirm with the provider the latest arrival time after which entry may be refused.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, charge your phone, prepare your documents and pens in one place, and get a full night's sleep. Avoid last-minute cramming that displaces sleep; consolidate weak topics earlier in the week instead.
Plan the day
Confirm the venue, reporting time, and required documents with the provider. Re-read the official instructions for your session and note any rule that differs from what you assumed, such as permitted instruments or the language of the paper. Do one full timed practice run under exam conditions, then review errors by topic rather than redoing everything. Prepare your ID, confirmation, pens, and watch in a single pouch. Reduce study volume in the final days and prioritise sleep and light review of formulas or vocabulary.
Stop learning new material. Review a one-page summary of key formulas, definitions, and your recurring mistakes. Check transport times and any planned engineering works, and decide your departure time with a buffer. Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water, snack, and directions. Set alarms, charge devices, and go to bed at a normal hour. Avoid alcohol and heavy meals, and do not attempt an all-night revision session.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Leave early enough to arrive with margin; if you arrive very early, wait calmly rather than joining anxious crowds. Switch your phone off before entering the building and store it as instructed. Keep your ID and confirmation accessible for checks. Use the toilet before entry, since breaks may be limited. Once seated, read the front-page instructions, check the paper for missing pages, and fill in your candidate details exactly as instructed.
Read the instructions for each section before starting. Pace yourself against the clock and do not spend too long on a single hard question; mark it and return later if time allows. Transfer answers to the answer sheet as you go or in planned batches, checking numbering carefully. If there is no penalty for wrong answers, leave nothing blank. If you finish early, use the remaining time to verify that every answer is recorded and that your details are correct. If something is unclear or you feel unwell, raise your hand and speak to an invigilator rather than leaving your seat.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document used at registration and present it when requested. If you cannot produce acceptable ID, entry may be refused; confirm with the provider what alternatives are accepted before test day.
Arrive by the reporting time stated in your confirmation. Late arrival may mean you are not admitted or are given less time; confirm with the provider the exact cut-off and whether any allowance is made for delays.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, earphones, or notes into the exam room. Switch devices off and store them as directed; possession of a device at your desk may be treated as misconduct even if you did not use it.
Follow invigilator instructions at all times. Do not communicate with other candidates, look at others' papers, or pass material during the test; suspected cheating may lead to removal and cancellation of your result.
Fill in your candidate details and answer sheet exactly as instructed. Errors in numbering or personal details can invalidate your answers, so check them before the end of the session.
Breaks are usually not permitted during a section. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator; lost time is generally not added back, so use the toilet before entry. Confirm with the provider the policy for your session.
Scoring and selection rules, including any minimum thresholds or weighting between sections, are set by the institution. Read the official call for your programme rather than relying on second-hand accounts, and confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Do not remove question papers, answer sheets, or rough paper from the room unless explicitly told you may. Leave the venue quietly and avoid discussing question content with candidates who have not yet sat the test.